What does lipped mean?
“Lipped” is an adjective describing a person, animal, or object with lips, often with an implication about their appearance: red-lipped, thick-lipped, or tight-lipped. The phrase “tight-lipped” especially suggests reluctance to speak or reveal information, and it is often used of officials, celebrities, witnesses, or people avoiding a question. “Lipped” can also function as the past tense and past participle of the verb “lip,” meaning to put something against the lips or seal something with them, though this use is much less common. In modern English, the adjective and compound-adjective uses dominate. Because it refers specifically to the lips rather than the mouth as a whole, “lipped” often conveys a vivid image or a specific quality of expression, whether visual, emotional, or communicative.
Having lips, especially lips of a particular appearance or shape.
"The red-lipped flower attracted a passing bee."
Usually occurs in compound adjectives such as “red-lipped,” “thick-lipped,” and “tight-lipped.”
The past tense and past participle of “lip,” meaning to touch or seal something with the lips.
"She lipped the edge of the envelope to seal it."
This is an uncommon verb form; the adjective meaning is generally more frequent.
When a spokesperson goes tight-lipped, even a carefully chosen phrase can reveal more than silence does.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of lipped
The underlying noun “lip” comes from Old English lippa, a Germanic word for the edge of the mouth. It is related to Latin labium, meaning “lip,” which is the source of words such as “labial” and “bilabial.” The past form and participle “lipped” developed from the verb “lip,” while the adjective use developed especially in compound expressions describing the shape or appearance of lips.
Related word forms
How lipped is actually used
As an adjective, “lipped” is usually used in compound forms such as “red-lipped,” “thick-lipped,” or “tight-lipped.” As a verb form, it is relatively uncommon and can be ambiguous with the adjective in contexts where lips are mentioned.
Easily confused with lipped
“Lipped” means having or forming lips and is the past form of “lip,” whereas “slipped” means moved or escaped out of place or grasp.